I have been so super busy these past few weeks and following the launch of my brand it has gotten even more hectic..

I have been doing vlogmas on my YouTube channel and just shared a video attempting a haistyle that I have seen circulating online.

So here’s a little inspiration for doing those classy holiday hairstyles

Hope you enjoy

Until Next Time Lovies

xoxo

]]>https://mumnatural.com/2018/12/20/holiday-hair-for-natural-hair/feed/0IMG_20181220_222959_410.jpgmumnaturalINTRODUCING MN ESSENTIALS BY MUMNATURALhttps://mumnatural.com/2018/11/22/introducing-mn-essentials-by-mumnatural/
https://mumnatural.com/2018/11/22/introducing-mn-essentials-by-mumnatural/#commentsThu, 22 Nov 2018 13:02:37 +0000http://mumnatural.com/?p=4294Continue Reading]]>Remember when I told you I was working on something?!?! Well here it is

Say hello to MN Essentials

This has been two years in the making and it has been no easy feat. Hurricane Maria almost made me lose hopes of making this a reality but through God’s Grace and His guidance I am here today.

This is a new journey that I am taking on and I am praying for continued strength and motivation to keep going. Thank you all so much for support and to all who in one way or the other said that I should start my own brand I thank you for your encouragement

]]>https://mumnatural.com/2018/11/12/natural-hairstyles-for-work/feed/01542039350070.jpgmumnaturalA CANCER AWARENESS STORYhttps://mumnatural.com/2018/10/15/a-cancer-awareness-story/
https://mumnatural.com/2018/10/15/a-cancer-awareness-story/#respondMon, 15 Oct 2018 19:02:55 +0000http://mumnatural.com/2018/10/15/a-cancer-awareness-story/Continue Reading]]>Sharing this video with you all in hopes of raising awareness for this illness and to bring some inspiration to someone who may need it

Until Next Time Lovies

xoxo

]]>https://mumnatural.com/2018/10/15/a-cancer-awareness-story/feed/0mumnaturalBENEFITS OF STRETCHING NATURAL HAIRhttps://mumnatural.com/2018/10/12/benefits-of-stretching-natural-hair/
https://mumnatural.com/2018/10/12/benefits-of-stretching-natural-hair/#commentsFri, 12 Oct 2018 18:06:14 +0000http://mumnatural.com/2018/10/12/benefits-of-stretching-natural-hair/Continue Reading]]>We hear so often that applying heat to our natural hair can be a “bad” thing. But what if – what if- there were benefits to using heat on our hair?!.

I have been using heat to stretch my hair for the past few months in other to test it out along with my new hair regimen. I can honestly tell you that in the past few months my hair has thrived so much more than I have seen it thrive in the past four years.

I have seen about the same amount of growth but I have been able to retain much more length with the methods I have been using for the past few months. And that is even with doing regular trims in my hair.

In my latest video, I share my top five benefits I have noticed so far in stretching my hair.

Let us know in the comments section if you use heat on your hair and what benefits, or none, have you noticed.

We will be launching a hair series soon here on the blog so stay tuned for that.

Until Next Time Lovies

xoxo

]]>https://mumnatural.com/2018/10/12/benefits-of-stretching-natural-hair/feed/12018-10-12_08-04-29.jpgmumnaturalWHAT MY BIG CHOP TAUGHT ME – FOUR YEARS LATERhttps://mumnatural.com/2018/10/07/what-my-big-chop-taught-me-four-years-later/
https://mumnatural.com/2018/10/07/what-my-big-chop-taught-me-four-years-later/#commentsSun, 07 Oct 2018 22:01:08 +0000http://mumnatural.com/?p=4254Continue Reading]]>I still remember that day like it was yesterday – October 7, 2014. I got up from the chair and walked out of the hair salon feeling both confident and nervous not knowing what response to expect. I wore no more than a one centimeter cap, which had just replaced what was once more than fifteen inches of lush, flowing mane. But it had dwindled over the years and it was time to go.

I felt different, I felt new.

I felt the stares of disbelief as I walked by and was greeted by the constant “why?” and “what did you do?”. But my hair story was more than they saw that day.

I fast forward to today. And as I sit playing the past four years in my mind I can’t help but think about that day I cut off all my hair and what that meant to me and the lessons I learnt from it.

It’s just hair. . . And it grows back…

Anyone who knows me will know that I have always loved my hair – long, thick and “beautiful”. I had endured the horror of the scalp pains, back then, because I tried so hard and so desperately to hold on to my long strands because I thought it defined me and made me “beautiful”. It is now in looking back that I realize I am “me” not because of the hair on my head but because of the person I choose to be. My hair does not define me. And the last four years made me realize, with all the stages my hair had to go through to get to where it is now, that it really is just hair and it does grow back.

New Journey, Fresh Motivation . . .

Back when I cut my hair I was clueless about the ongoing “natural hair movement” (strange I know – but I live further under my rock that Patrick Star )

But cutting my hair had made me more open to sharing my story in the hopes of inspiring someone else. And that new motivation helped in starting my blog and my YouTube channel -along with other factors ofcourse. I no longer felt afraid of what people would think or if they would respond positively to what I had to put out there. I was embarking on this new journey to grow into the best version of myself and hoped to inspire others along the way.

Fear of cutting again ??. . . Or Not

I have recently been constantly thinking about doing a second big chop. Not because my hair is unhealthy or because it is dull but just because I felt it would be “cool” …. but really though?!?! I have outgrown the fear of cutting my hair but choose to not cut because then I would be cutting for the wrong reasons. If the day comes and I need to cut then I will do so but for now cutting feels like a trend that is attached to “difficulties” one faces that cause them to cut their hair to start anew. . . And that is not my reality. . So no cut for me.

Nappily Ever After . . .

Now if you have already read my review of the book then you would know my thoughts on the message of the book. It fits in nicely with my first point that I am more than my hair. When we come to accept ourselves we truly understand what is it to love yourself no matter what.

The care still goes on . . .

Now, accepting my hair how it is and not allowing it to define does not mean that I leave it unkempt hahaha. There is still need to take care of your hair becauae, let’s face it, we don’t want to walk around feeling messy. No matter how much our hair does not define us it plays a major role in how we present ourselves especially in a professional setting. So ofcourse I do encourage maintaining a healthy hair routine and keeping to styles that best suits you and your situation. I feel very comfortable wearing an afro to work and don’t feel unprofessional when I do, because my hair is only part of the package that I offer. Some may see it as “loud” or “unprofessional” but I have come to realize that most of the people I deal with and give service to at work are really not bothered – quite contrary to popular belief. They are more concerned with how they are treated and how their experience was with you and my hair more often than not gets high praise even in an afro. So care for your hair but don’t stress too much… just do what works for you!

So as I mark today as four years since my big chop and I am happy that I went through the pain which led to my chop. It has been a journey about more than just growing my hair or making it more healthy. It has also been a journey of growth. Growth as an individual (mental as well as spiritual), growth as a motivator and growth as an influencer. I remain thankful for all I have learnt and continue to learn along my journey and am grateful to all who have shared the journey with me.

Until Next Time Lovies

xoxo

]]>https://mumnatural.com/2018/10/07/what-my-big-chop-taught-me-four-years-later/feed/2Mane Crush Monday (2)mumnaturalTROPICAL STORM ISAAC CAUSES NO DAMAGE TO DOMINICAhttps://mumnatural.com/2018/09/14/tropical-storm-isaac-causes-no-damage-to-dominica/
https://mumnatural.com/2018/09/14/tropical-storm-isaac-causes-no-damage-to-dominica/#respondFri, 14 Sep 2018 20:31:33 +0000http://mumnatural.com/?p=4271Continue Reading]]>Today we thank God for His continued mercies that He shows to us as a nation. Waiting on Hurricane Isaac was nerve wrecking. Then we were blessed by the downgrade to Tropical Storm before it reached our waters. Talk about divine intervention.

Following Hurricane Maria it is no easy feat just hearing about an approaching weather system, so having the thought of facing one makes for more anxiety and fear.

But on Thursday September 13, 2018, as Isaac made his appearance on our shores, we were more than relieved that he came and went without causing any harm to our citizens and our country.

We thank the Father for His mercies and for His grace during the pasaage of this weather system.

We extend heartfelt thanks to all who offered prayers on our behalf and know that through our unity in prayer we can find God’s grace.

Until Next Time Lovies

xoxo

**FTC DISCLOSURE: The links in this post contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link**

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]]>https://mumnatural.com/2018/09/14/tropical-storm-isaac-causes-no-damage-to-dominica/feed/02018-09-14_10-00-33.jpgmumnaturalSTYLING MINI TWISTS ON NATURAL HAIRhttps://mumnatural.com/2018/08/31/styling-mini-twists-on-natural-hair/
https://mumnatural.com/2018/08/31/styling-mini-twists-on-natural-hair/#respondFri, 31 Aug 2018 11:21:21 +0000http://mumnatural.com/?p=4246Continue Reading]]>As naturals, we are always looking for various ways to “protect” our hair. Protecting our hair means keeping not just out ends tucked away, but keeping all our strands safe from the elements which make them dry and brittle.

Protective styles have, over the years, graduated from simple buns, twists and braids to exquisite twisted and braided styles to crochet braids and faux locs and the likes. But that which is meant to “protect” does more harm than good when they are not properly installed or may be installed too tight therefore putting more strain on our strands and scalp.

Mini Twists have been my number one protective style from even my “before relaxer” days. They take me a lifetime to install … but when done they make for a beautiful style to keep my hands out of my hair and keep my strands protcted from the harsh elements that cause damage.

Simply installing the twists, though, is not all it takes to make this style fully protective. Wearing them out constantly causes them to rub against the clothing worn thereby causing friction on the strands which in turn causes damage.

But sometimes styling them can be hard when you are not sure how to style a style. But during the past month of wearing mini twists I have tried a few styles, apart from keeping them down, and I share them with you today.

Hope it gives some inspiration on various ways that mini twists can be styled and hope you get an opportunity to try some of them.

Too see more of these styles, and more, and to see how I did them you can click on the video below to view.

Do you wear mini twists? How do you style them when you have them in? Let us know in the comments section below.

Until Next Time Lovies

xoxo

**FTC DISCLOSURE: The links in this post contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link**

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]]>https://mumnatural.com/2018/08/31/styling-mini-twists-on-natural-hair/feed/02018-08-29_07-05-39.jpgmumnaturalNAPPILY EVER AFTER – A BOOK REVIEWhttps://mumnatural.com/2018/08/30/nappily-ever-after-a-book-review/
https://mumnatural.com/2018/08/30/nappily-ever-after-a-book-review/#commentsThu, 30 Aug 2018 23:41:00 +0000http://mumnatural.com/?p=4227Continue Reading]]>I will be honest and state here that I had never heard about this book prior to the recently released ad for the Netflix movie which premiers in September. But like with most other movies, once there is a book I prefer read the book prior to watching the movie. And as a natural, you best believe I wanted to read that book just out of curiosity to see if the same happened with her as with most naturals and how her story would be told and unfold.

Nappily every after was not short of being an awesome book. Apart from the obvious theme of a woman “big chopping” her hair it touches on major points that we as women face even in today’s society.

We see a woman who is faced with the internal struggle of not only accepting the “new” version of herself that she has become, but her struggle to be accepted because of it. We see how differently she feels and is treated based on her “going away” from what is “accepted” as being “woman” and what is defined as being “beautiful” – society’s definition that is. Throughout the book I kept hearing the song in my head I Am Not My Hair by India Arie. The struggle Venus, the main character of the novel, faces becomes so much to bear because of her decision to cut off all her “beautiful” hair and choose a bald cut. She feels ignored by men who once found her attractive, she feels that people stare at her, and not in a good way, because of her cut – and it makes her uncomfortable.

But the book touches on more than just hair. It highlights issues such as sexual harassment and the advancement of women in the work place. We have over the years heard a number of stories about women who have struggled to excel in the business world because it is not the “norm”. Or the struggle women face because the impression created was that in order to progress one must “sleep” with whomever is in charge. It also touches on the respect given to her while her hair long. She was basically an outcast and “suddenly” told that she was incompetent. A sentiment, she felt, which was never shared prior to her new look.

The book is also a love story. A story of how two people who had once loved each other so much discover their true selves and realize that they were in the relationship for convenience and not necessarily love. Now I will say that my mouth dropped when Clint asked Kandi to marry him after dating her for weeks. And Venus had waited for him to propose to her after being together for four years. I was like “bruhhhhhh, how you gonna hurt a sister like that”. But as I kept reading I understood more and more how he felt, and how Venus felt, and that their relationship made it difficult to feel like “I am ready for that step”. Love can sometimes be crazy but it is indeed beautiful.

But the theme that resonated with me most was that of self acceptance. It is with accepting ones true self that growth can truly begin. We see Venus having an “epiphany” through a painting in the museum and from that moment we see her growth journey begin. She had begun accepting who she was and knew that she was about to be greater – the best version of herself. Her self acceptance allowed her to think differently and look at things from a different angle. And in the end of the book, we see her getting that dream job she wanted and being engaged to a man that she had truly fallen in love with. See, Love is indeed beautiful.

So all in all I give this book an 8.5 out of 10. I loved it and had a few of those “don’t want to put it down” kind of moments. And since I had downloaded the Kindle version ,because I did not want to wait two weeks to receive it from ordering, I basically had it everywhere I went and in three days I was done reading. But even with that I felt that some parts of the book were a bit all over almost making it a bit hard to follow- almost. But it was an awesome book and I await the movie and look forward to seeing if it brings out the characters and themes as they are portrayed in the book.